|
||||
|
In this Update:
Focus on the 46th
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of joining the community in Waynesburg for the annual Christmas on High Street festivities and the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the courthouse. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and truly captured the spirit of the season. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Waynesburg street crew for the stunning decorations that brightened every corner of High Street. My appreciation also goes to the Waynesburg Franklin Township Fire Company for putting up the tree, and to all of the dedicated volunteers whose hard work made the evening so special. And of course, a very special thank you to Santa and Mrs. Claus for helping us officially kick off this magical time of year!
I joined the community in Charleroi this week to commemorate 132 years of glassmaking and witness the burial of a time capsule filled with memories contributed by generations of families and workers who helped build the legacy of the glass plant. It was a somber and emotional day full of stories, history, and tears shared that reminded us just how much this plant has meant to Charleroi and to the countless men and women who devoted their lives to it. My mission has been clear: first, to fight to keep the plant open, and then to pursue every possible path to bring it back to life with a buyer committed to restoring hundreds of good-paying jobs. There are still options on the table. I continue to work closely with the Attorney General, Senator McCormick’s office, the FTC, and representatives of Anchor Hocking. We will not stop fighting until this plant is up and running again and until hundreds of our people are back to work in Charleroi.
Thank you to Amy Petro and the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce for hosting a wonderful Magic of the Season Celebration Holiday Luncheon. This was a fantastic way to raise money for charity while giving Washington County business owners a chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the season together. The Chamber continues to play a vital role in supporting business development and strengthening our community. Thank you for all that you do to promote and empower your members.
Recently, I met with an Argentinian delegation, hosted through a joint effort by City of Pittsburgh Controller Rachel Heisler and Andrew Ritter Jr., Vice President of Regulatory & Legislative Affairs at Range Resources Corporation. The group was visiting our region to learn more about how we responsibly develop our natural gas resources, strengthen local economies, and build strong partnerships between industry, government, and communities. Their fact-finding tour included a visit to a natural gas well pad and concluded with a panel discussion featuring professionals in a variety of roles impacting Pennsylvania’s energy production. While some of our discussion required translation, nothing was lost when it came to the importance of global connection. Opportunities like this remind us that Pennsylvania’s work in energy development is being watched around the world – and that collaboration and open dialogue benefit us all.
Thank you to Dr. Marco Alcala of The Orthopedic Wellness Center of Pittsburgh for taking the time to personally give me a tour of their warm and friendly office in Canonsburg and introduce me to the wonderful staff. The facility, just four months into operation, treats a wide range of orthopedic and concussion-related conditions affecting not only athletes, but students, workers, active adults, and seniors. The Orthopedic Wellness Center specializes in non-surgical orthopedic care, concussion management, and personalized treatment plans for patients of all ages.
This week I also stopped by the theatre at Canonsburg Educational & Cultural Institute (CECI) which is the former Canon-McMillan Middle School. I caught up with Board President Tony Colaizzo to see the renovation progress firsthand. The entire 143,000 sq. ft. facility is well on its way to becoming a dynamic hub for our community. The plans include a full live theatre venue, classrooms for training in set design, lighting, and all aspects of the performing arts, as well as space for a daycare, gym, cafeteria, and even a few exciting surprises still to come. Perhaps most inspiring is how this project is already generating momentum in the broader community, including interest from a well-known restaurateur who has committed to opening a new restaurant in downtown Canonsburg as a result of the theater’s anticipated revival. Honored to Welcome the Spinnenweber Family to the Capitol
I had such a lovely visit in Harrisburg recently with Joe and Judy Spinnenweber and their grandson, Will – a proud Ringgold School District student and a member of Boy Scouts Local Troop 1452. Will arrived in his uniform wearing his Order of the Arrow sash, where he currently holds the rank of “Ordeal,” and it was wonderful to see how engaged and accomplished he is at such a young age. Joe is a veteran Marine, and they were in the Capitol to attend the Celebration of the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, representing Marine Corps League 726, our dedicated local detachment that works to preserve the traditions and promote the mission of the Marine Corps while supporting both current and former Marines. I was delighted to present young Will with a challenge coin from my “Sunday Salon,” a tradition I began in 2019 to bring people from all backgrounds and both sides of the aisle together to share a meal, stories, and experiences during each week of session. In an incredibly thoughtful gesture, Will surprised me with a challenge coin from the South Hills Pittsburgh Detachment 726, featuring the historic “Tun Tavern,” the birthplace of the United States Marine Corps. I am deeply honored by his kindness. Thank you, Will, and thank you to the Spinnenweber family for your visit and for all you do to support our Marine community! Increased Funding for Libraries
The recently enacted state budget includes a $5 million boost to support Pennsylvania’s 474 public libraries (630 counting satellites like branches and bookmobiles), helping them serve adults, children and families across the commonwealth. The budget also increases funding for library services for the visually impaired and disabled, a program known as the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP). Since the first Pennsylvania library opened in 1731 (the Library Company of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin), libraries have served as vital community resources. Today, they’re evolving to meet the needs of modern users, including the growth of digital lending options like the POWER Library. Anyone interested in getting a library card can visit their local library or learn about the Statewide Library Card Program. Tips for Safe Winter Driving
Last winter, there were more than 8,320 vehicle crashes statewide, with 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways and 29 fatalities – 17 of those fatalities were attributed to crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane. For safe travels this winter, check out the Winter Driving Guide and other suggestions from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, such as keeping an emergency kit handy. Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, 511PA provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. Look Out for Scams, Fraud and Theft During the Holiday Season
The holiday shopping season is prime opportunity for scams, fraud and theft. Some of the most common scams to be on the lookout for include bait-and-switch scams, skimming devices and fraudulent “cybersquatting” websites. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday offered several tips to prevent scammers from taking advantage when shopping online:
The Attorney General’s Office has set up a Scams Complaint Form residents can fill out should they encounter any scams. The FBI also provides tips on how to avoid holiday scams and identify skimming devices, which are estimated to cost consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion per year. Fishing Gift Vouchers, Licenses on Sale
Gift vouchers for your favorite angler, along with Pennsylvania fishing licenses and launch permits, are now available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Items for the upcoming 2026 season can be purchased at HuntFish.pa.gov or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. Licenses, permits and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026. While in-person retail purchases remain popular, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Sat., April 4, 2026. Customers can choose an auto-renew option at the time of purchase. College Application Period is Open
The application period for most colleges is now open. If the process is new to you, you can find plenty of resources for the college planning and application process here. Find out which colleges have your major, as well as information for students with disabilities, veterans and adult students. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency can help you access student financial aid services, including grants, loans and other funding opportunities, including the new Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program. Dec. 7: Remembering a Day of Infamy
Each year on Dec. 7, we remember the 2,403 service members and civilians killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships and destroyed 188 aircraft. We remember not just the surprise attack, but the steely resolve of Americans to do whatever it took to defeat the Axis forces of World War II.
If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. |
||||
|
||||
Want to change how you receive these emails? 2025 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorbartolotta.com | Privacy Policy |
